Micromechanical detection structure of a mems multi-axis gyroscope, with reduced drifts of corresponding electrical parameters

ABSTRACT

A multi-axis MEMS gyroscope includes a micromechanical detection structure having a substrate, a driving-mass arrangement, a driven-mass arrangement with a central window, and a sensing-mass arrangement which undergoes sensing movements in the presence of angular velocities about a first horizontal axis and a second horizontal axis. A sensing-electrode arrangement is fixed with respect to the substrate and is set underneath the sensing-mass arrangement. An anchorage assembly is set within the central window for constraining the driven-mass arrangement to the substrate at anchorage elements. The anchorage assembly includes a rigid structure suspended above the substrate that is elastically coupled to the driven mass by elastic connection elements at a central portion, and is coupled to the anchorage elements by elastic decoupling elements at end portions thereof.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a micromechanical detection structureof a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) multi-axis gyroscope, whichhas reduced drifts of the corresponding electrical parameters in thepresence of thermal deformations, or stresses of various nature actingfrom outside on a corresponding package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

In particular, the following discussion will make explicit reference,without this implying any loss of generality, to a biaxial MEMSgyroscope having a sensing-mass arrangement subjected to sensingmovements along a vertical axis z, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to ahorizontal plane of main extension and to the top surface of acorresponding substrate (in addition, possibly, to being able to performfurther sensing movements in the same horizontal plane).

It is known that micromechanical detection structures of MEMS sensorswith vertical axis z are generally subject to drift of electricalparameters, due to the deformations of a corresponding substrate ofsemiconductor material, on account, for example, of thermal phenomena,mechanical stresses of various nature acting from outside on the packageof the same sensors (for example, due to soldering to a printed-circuitboard), or swelling due to humidity.

FIG. 1 shows a micromechanical structure 1 of a known type, of a MEMSsensor with vertical axis z (which further comprises an electronicreading interface, not illustrated, electrically coupled to the samemicromechanical structure).

The micromechanical structure 1 comprises: a substrate 2 (includingsemiconductor material, for example, silicon); and a sensing mass 3,which is of conductive material, for example, polysilicon, and isarranged above the substrate 2, suspended at a certain distance from itstop surface.

The sensing mass 3 has a main extension in a horizontal plane xy, whichis defined by a first horizontal axis x and a second horizontal axis ythat are mutually orthogonal and is substantially parallel to the topsurface of the substrate 2 (in a resting condition, in the absence, thatis, of external quantities acting on the micromechanical structure 1),and a substantially lower dimension along the vertical axis z, which isperpendicular to the aforesaid horizontal plane xy and which forms withthe first and second horizontal axes x, y a set of three Cartesian axesxyz.

The sensing mass 3 has, at the center, a through opening 4, whichtraverses it throughout its thickness. This through opening 4 has in topplan view a substantially rectangular shape, which extends in lengthalong the first horizontal axis x and is set at the centroid (or centerof gravity) 0 of the sensing mass 3. The through opening 4 consequentlydivides the sensing mass 3 into a first portion 3 a and a second portion3 b, arranged on opposite sides with respect to the same through opening4 along the second horizontal axis y.

As illustrated schematically also in FIG. 2a , the micromechanicalstructure 1 further comprises a first fixed electrode 5 a and a secondfixed electrode 5 b, of conductive material, which are arranged on thetop surface of the substrate 2, on opposite sides with respect to thethrough opening 4 along the second horizontal axis y, to be positioned,respectively, underneath the first and second portions 3 a, 3 b of thesensing mass 3, at a respective distance of separation (or gap) Δz₁, Δz₂(which, in resting conditions, have substantially the same value).

The first and second fixed electrodes 5 a, 5 b define, together with thesensing mass 3, a first sensing capacitor and a second sensing capacitorwith plane and parallel faces, which are designated as a whole by C₁, C₂and have a given value of capacitance at rest.

The sensing mass 3 is anchored to the substrate 2 by a central anchorageelement 6, constituted by a pillar element, which extends within thethrough opening 4 starting from the top surface of the substrate 2,centrally with respect to the through opening 4. The central anchorageelement 6 corresponds to the only point of constraint of the sensingmass 3 to the substrate 2.

In particular, the sensing mass 3 is mechanically connected to thecentral anchorage element 6 by a first elastic anchorage element 8 a anda second elastic anchorage element 8 b, which extend within the throughopening 4, aligned, with a substantially rectilinear extension, along anaxis of rotation A parallel to the first horizontal axis x, on oppositesides with respect to the central anchorage element 6. The elasticanchorage elements 8 a, 8 b are configured to be compliant to torsionabout their direction of extension, thus enabling rotation of thesensing mass 3 out of the horizontal plane xy (in response to anexternal quantity to be detected, for example, an acceleration or anangular velocity).

Due to rotation, the sensing mass 3 approaches one of the two fixedelectrodes 5 a, 5 b (for example, the first fixed electrode 5 a) andcorrespondingly moves away from the other of the two fixed electrodes 5a, 5 b (for example, from the second fixed electrode 5 b), generatingopposite capacitive variations of the sensing capacitors C₁, C₂.

Suitable interface electronics (not illustrated in FIG. 1) of the MEMSsensor, electrically coupled to the micromechanical structure 1,receives at input the capacitive variations of the sensing capacitorsC₁, C₂, and processes these capacitive variations in a differentialmanner for determining the value of the external quantity to bedetected.

The present Applicant has realized that the micromechanical structure 1described previously may be subject to measurement errors in case thesubstrate 2 undergoes deformation.

The package of a MEMS sensor is in fact subject to deformation as thetemperature varies, these deformation due to the different coefficientsof thermal expansion of the materials of which it is made, causingcorresponding deformations of the substrate 2 of the micromechanicalstructure 1 contained therein. Similar deformations may further occur onaccount of particular stresses induced from outside, for example, duringsoldering of the package on a printed-circuit board, or else on accountof phenomena of swelling due to humidity.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2b , due to the deformations of thesubstrate 2, the fixed electrodes 5 a, 5 b, which are directlyconstrained thereto (these electrodes are in general set on the topsurface of the substrate 2), follow the same deformations of thesubstrate, while the sensing mass 3 moves, following the displacementsof the central anchorage element 6.

Deformation of the substrate 2 may cause both a variation, or drift, ofstatic offset (at time zero) or of the so-called output in response to azero input (ZRL—Zero-Rate Level), i.e., of the value supplied at outputin the absence of quantities to be detected (for example, in the absenceof an angular velocity acting from the outside), and a variation ofsensitivity in the detection of quantities.

In the example illustrated, the substrate 2 and the corresponding topsurface undergo a deformation along the vertical axis z with respect tothe second horizontal axis y (in the example, a bending), and, due tothis deformation, variations occur in the average distances (or gaps)Δz₁ and Δz₂ that separate the sensing mass 3 from the substrate 2 at thefirst and second fixed electrodes 5 a, 5 b.

The aforesaid variations of distance cause corresponding variations ofthe capacitance of the sensing capacitors C₁, C₂ that are not linked tothe quantity to be detected and thus cause undesired variations of thesensing performance of the micromechanical structure 1.

In particular, in the case where the deformation of the substrate 2causes substantially equal variations of the gaps Δz₁ and Δz₂, avariation of the sensitivity of detection of the micromechanicalstructure 1 occurs (understood as ratio ΔC/Δz). In the case ofdifferential variation of the gaps Δz₁ and Δz₂, a capacitive offset attime zero occurs and/or a variation of the ZRL during operation of theMEMS sensor.

To overcome the above drawbacks, solutions have been proposed, designedin general to eliminate, or at least reduce, the effects of thedeformations of the substrate 2 on the micromechanical structure 1.

For instance, document No. US 2011/0023604 A1, filed in the name of thepresent Applicant, describes a micromechanical detection structure for aMEMS inertial accelerometer with a single sensing axis (the verticalaxis z), which has reduced drifts.

In brief, this solution basically envisages anchorage of the sensingmass of the micromechanical structure at anchorages (or points ofconstraint to the substrate) set in the proximity of the fixedelectrodes. In this way, deformations of the substrate affect in asubstantially similar way the position of the fixed electrodes and thearrangement of the sensing mass, minimizing the effects of thesedeformations.

The solution described in the aforesaid document US 2011/0023604 A1refers, however, only to a micromechanical structure of a uniaxialinertial accelerometer. In particular, there is no reference to how thesolution described may be adopted in more complex detection structures,such as, for example, that of a multi-axis MEMS gyroscope in which it isnecessary to co-ordinate multiple driving and sensing movements, withoutaltering the characteristics of the same movements.

In a known way, MEMS gyroscopes operate on the principle of relativeaccelerations, exploiting Coriolis acceleration. When an angularvelocity is applied to a moving mass of a corresponding micromechanicaldetection structure, which is driven in a linear direction, the mobilemass “feels” an apparent force, or Coriolis force, which causes adisplacement thereof in a direction perpendicular to the linear drivingdirection and to the axis about which the angular velocity is applied.The mobile mass is supported above a substrate via elastic elements thatenable driving thereof in the driving direction and displacement in thedirection of the apparent force, which is directly proportional to theangular velocity and may, for example, be detected via a capacitivetransduction system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a micromechanical structure of amulti-axis MEMS gyroscope having reduced drift of its electricalparameters, for example in terms of output signal in response to a zeroinput (ZRL) and of in terms of sensitivity, in the presence ofdeformations of the corresponding substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a preferredembodiment thereof is now described, purely by way of non-limitingexample and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a micromechanical structure of a MEMSsensor with vertical axis z, of a known type;

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the micromechanical structure ofFIG. 1a , taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2a , in thepresence of a deformation of the substrate of the micromechanicalstructure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a micromechanical detectionstructure of a multi-axis MEMS gyroscope according to a first embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the micromechanical structure ofFIG. 3, taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4a , in thepresence of a deformation of the substrate of the micromechanicalstructure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of a micromechanical detectionstructure of a multi-axis MEMS gyroscope according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a general block diagram of an electronic device incorporatingthe MEMS gyroscope of FIG. 3 or 5 according to a further aspect of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a sensing electrode of the micromechanicalstructure of the MEMS gyroscope of FIG. 3 or 5 according to a possiblevariant embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of amicromechanical detection structure of a multi-axis MEMS gyroscope,designated as a whole by 10, provided in a body (die) of semiconductormaterial, for example, silicon, including a substrate 12.

The micromechanical structure 10 has a substantially planarconfiguration with main extension in the horizontal plane xy, and minordimension, as compared to the aforesaid main extension, in a directionparallel to the vertical axis z.

The micromechanical structure 10 comprises a first driving mass 14 a anda second driving mass 14 b, with extension in the horizontal plane xy(purely by way of example, substantially rectangular) and connected torespective anchorages 15 a, 15 b, fixed with respect to the substrate12, by respective elastic anchorage elements 16 a, 16 b.

A respective set of driving electrodes 17 a, 17 b is associated witheach driving mass 14 a, 14 b. Each set of driving electrodes 17 a, 17 bcomprises: a respective plurality of mobile electrodes 18 a, 18 b, whichare fixed with respect to the respective driving mass 14 a, 14 b andextend outside the driving mass 14 a, 14 b; and a respective pluralityof fixed electrodes 19 a, 19 b, fixed with respect to the substrate 12and comb-fingered to the mobile electrodes 18 a, 18 b.

Suitable electrical biasing signals from an electronic circuit (here notillustrated) for driving the MEMS gyroscope, determine, by mutual andalternating electrostatic attraction of the electrodes, an oscillatorydriving movement of the driving masses 14 a, 14 b in a linear drivingdirection, in the example, along the second horizontal axis y. Inparticular, the first and second driving masses 14 a, 14 b are driven inopposite senses of this driving direction, as indicated by the arrows inFIG. 3. The elastic anchorage elements 16 a, 16 b are thus configured tobe compliant with respect to this driving movement.

The micromechanical structure 10 further comprises a driven mass 20, setbetween the first and second driving masses 14 a, 14 b (in the directionof the first horizontal axis x) and connected to the same driving masses14 a, 14 b by elastic connection elements 21 a, 21 b.

The driven mass 20 is suspended above the substrate 12, parallel theretoin a resting condition (i.e., in the absence of quantities to bedetected).

The driven mass 20 has a main extension in the horizontal plane xy, witha shape that is, for example, rectangular, and a central window 22 (orthrough opening) that centrally defines an empty space, the center O ofwhich coincides with the centroid and the center of symmetry of theentire micromechanical structure 10.

A coupling assembly 24 is arranged within the central window 22 and,according to a particular aspect of the present solution, is configuredfor anchorage of the driven mass 20 to the substrate 12.

In particular, the coupling assembly 24 comprises a pair of rigidelements 25 a, 25 b, which in the example have a rectilinear extensionalong the second horizontal axis y, arranged centrally to the centralwindow 22, symmetrically with respect to the second horizontal axis y.

The aforesaid rigid elements 25 a, 25 b are, for example, formed viachemical etching of the same layer of material (for example,polysilicon), during the same process step as that in which the drivenmass 20 is obtained.

Each rigid element 25 a, 25 b is elastically connected to the drivenmass 20 by a respective elastic connection element 26 a, 26 b, whichextends in the central window 22 starting from a central portion of therespective rigid element 25 a, 25 b as far as a facing side of thedriven mass 20 (which defines the central window 22). The elasticconnection elements 26 a, 26 b are, in the example illustrated in FIG.3, aligned with a substantially rectilinear extension, along the firsthorizontal axis x, on opposite sides with respect to the center O(different embodiments for the elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 bmay, however, be envisaged, for example, having an “L” shape).

The elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b are configured to becompliant to torsion about their direction of extension, enabling, inthis embodiment, rotation of the driven mass 20 out of the horizontalplane xy (as described in detail hereinafter), about the axis ofrotation defined by the same elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b.

Furthermore, each rigid element 25 a, 25 b is connected, at respectiveterminal ends, to anchorage elements 27, set in contact with, and on topof, the substrate 12, fixed with respect thereto (for example, beingconstituted by column elements, which extend vertically starting fromthe substrate 12), by respective elastic decoupling elements 28.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the elastic decoupling elements28 have a linear extension along the first horizontal axis x, and alength smaller than that of the elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b.Furthermore, the anchorage elements 27 are set, within the centralwindow 22, according to appropriate criteria that will be clarified inwhat follows.

The rigid elements 25 a, 25 b are configured to have a high stiffness ascompared to the elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b and to theelastic decoupling elements 28. The extension of these rigid elements 25a, 25 b is, in the absence of deformations of the substrate 12, to beconsidered as lying in the horizontal plane xy. In other words, theirvalue of stiffness is such that that the rigid elements 25 a and 25 bmay reasonably be considered as rigid bodies, even in the presence ofmaximum tolerable deformations of the substrate 12.

Each elastic decoupling element 28 is configured, together with therespective anchorage element 27 to define an element of constraint ofthe hinge type with respect to the substrate 12. In addition, theelastic decoupling elements 28 have a much higher stiffness than theelastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b, so that the rigid elements 25 a,25 b may be considered as substantially immobile with respect to thedriven mass 20, during motion of the structure, whether it is a drivingmotion or a sensing motion (as described in greater detail hereinafter).

The micromechanical structure 10 further comprises: a first pair ofsensing electrodes 29 a, 29 b, arranged on the substrate 12 and fixedwith respect thereto, underneath the driven mass 20, on opposite sidesof the central window 22 along the first horizontal axis x; and moreovera second pair of sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b, arranged on the samesubstrate 12 and fixed with respect thereto, underneath the driven mass20, on opposite sides with respect to the central window 22 along thesecond horizontal axis y.

In particular, according to one aspect of the present solution, theanchorage elements 27 are arranged, in pairs, in a positioncorresponding to, and in the proximity of, a respective sensingelectrode 29 a, 29 b, 30 a, 30 b.

In general, at least one point of constraint (defined by a respectiveanchorage element 27 and elastic decoupling element 28) of the drivenmass to the substrate 12 is provided in a position corresponding to eachsensing electrode 29 a, 29 b, 30 a, 30 b. In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, four points of constraint are, for example, provided, two ofwhich are arranged at the sensing electrode 30 a, and the other two arearranged at the sensing electrode 30 b, in a way substantiallysymmetrical with respect to the center O of the central window 22(likewise, a first pair of points of constraint is set at the sensingelectrode 29 a, and a second pair of points of constraint is set at thesensing electrode 29 b).

During operation, the coupling assembly 24 is configured to allow arotation of the driven mass 20 in the horizontal plane xy (with respectto the substrate 12) about the vertical axis z, in response to thedriving movement in opposite senses of the driving masses 14 a, 14 b (asrepresented by the arrows). Basically, the driven mass 20 is driven inrotation (in the example, in the counterclockwise direction) by themovement of the driving masses 14 a, 14 b, to generate tangential forceson the driven mass 20 itself, in particular directed along the firsthorizontal axis x, in opposite senses, at the sensing electrodes 30 a,30 b.

In response to this driving movement of the driving masses 14 a, 14 b,and in the presence of an angular velocity about the first horizontalaxis x, designated by ω_(x), a couple of Coriolis forces is generated onthe driven mass 20, having direction along the vertical axis z andopposite senses, and thus causing a respective rotation out of thehorizontal plane xy, in the example about the second horizontal axis y.

The sensing electrodes 29 a, 29 b enable, by capacitive coupling, thedetection of a quantity indicative of the value of the aforesaid angularvelocity ω_(x) about the first horizontal axis x (which thus representsa first sensing axis for the MEMS gyroscope).

In the presence of an angular velocity about the second horizontal axisy, designated by ω_(y), Coriolis forces on the driven mass 20 directedalong the vertical axis z are further generated (in opposite senses, atthe sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b), which cause a rotation thereof outof the horizontal plane xy, in the example about the axis of rotationdefined by the elastic connection elements 26 a, 26 b, in a directionparallel to first horizontal axis x.

The sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b enable, by capacitive coupling withthe driven mass 20, detection of an electrical quantity indicative ofthe value of the aforesaid angular velocity ω_(y) about the secondhorizontal axis y (which thus represents a second sensing axis for theMEMS gyroscope).

As shown schematically in FIG. 4a (which represents a condition at rest)and in FIG. 4b (which represents a condition of deformation of thesubstrate 12), in the presence of deformations of the substrate 12, thearrangement of the anchorage elements 27, in the example at the sensingelectrodes 30 a, 30 b, advantageously enables reduction of the meanvalue of variations Δz₁ and Δz₂, with respect to the resting condition,of the gaps that separate the driven mass 20 (in this case acting alsoas sensing mass) from the sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b. These gaps havesubstantially corresponding variations Δz₁ and Δz₂, which do not differconsiderably from one another.

Furthermore, the elastic decoupling elements 28 advantageously enablereduction of the mean value of inclination of the driven mass 20 withrespect to the substrate 12, absorbing and compensating, in fact,possible stresses and rotations of the substrate 12 at the anchorageelements 27.

Consequently, any undesired variation of the electrical detectionparameters of the micromechanical structure 10 (for example, in terms ofZRL and sensitivity) is prevented.

In greater detail, in the presence of a displacement of the substrate 12(and, therewith, of the sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b) along thevertical axis z, due, for example, to a deformation as a function oftemperature, the points of constraint shift along the vertical axis z,substantially in a manner corresponding to the fixed electrodes 30 a, 30b, and similar displacements are transmitted to the rigid elements 25 a,25 b by the elastic decoupling elements 28. Due to such displacements,the rigid elements 25 a, 25 b move, setting themselves in a plane thatinterpolates the new positions assumed by the points of constraint. Inparticular, the errors between the interpolated plane and the positionsof the individual points of constraint are compensated by thedeformations of the elastic decoupling elements 28, which furthercompensate any possible expansion of the substrate 12.

Given the stiffness of the elastic decoupling elements 28, the drivenmass 20 follows directly the displacement of the rigid elements 25 a, 25b, setting itself accordingly in space. In other words, the driven mass20 is rigidly connected to the rigid elements 25 a, 25 b in followingthe deformations of the substrate 12 along the orthogonal axis z.

Consequently, the driven mass 20 also undergoes a displacementsubstantially corresponding to the displacement of the fixed electrodes30 a, 30 b, thus in effect reducing the (mean) variation of the gaps Δz₁and Δz₂ between the driven mass 20 and the fixed electrodes 30 a, 30 b,with the result that no appreciable changes occur in the values ofsensitivity and offset at output from the MEMS gyroscope.

The arrangement of the points of constraint in the proximity of thefixed electrodes 30 a, 30 b is thus per se advantageous in so far as itcauses the driven mass 20 to undergo displacements that may beapproximated to the mean displacements of the same fixed electrodes 30a, 30 b, thus reducing the drifts in the electrical values at outputfrom the MEMS gyroscope. In particular, using a mathematical modellingof the micromechanical structure 10, it is advantageously possible todetermine the optimal specific position of the points of constraint (andof the corresponding anchorage elements 27) such as to effectivelyminimize the mean variation of the gaps Δz₁ and Δz₂ between the drivenmass 20 and the fixed electrodes 30 a, 30 b (similar considerationsapply, of course, to the fixed electrodes 29 a, 29 b).

For instance, it is possible to use an iterative procedure to determine,in the stage of design and manufacturing of the micromechanicalstructure 10, a best position of the points of constraint enablingminimization of the drifts of sensitivity and offset of the sensor inthe presence of deformation of the substrate 12.

With reference to FIG. 5, a description is presented of a secondembodiment of a micromechanical detection structure of a multi-axis MEMSgyroscope, designated once again by 10 (in general, elements that aresimilar to others illustrated previously are designated by the samereference numbers and are not described herein again in detail).

In this embodiment, the driven mass 20 is again driven in its movementof rotation about the vertical axis z by the first and second drivingmasses 14 a, 14 b (in a way altogether similar to what has beendescribed previously with reference to FIG. 3), to which it is onceagain connected by the elastic connection elements 21 a, 21 b.

In the driven mass 20, once again as described previously, the centralopening 22 defines the empty space in which the coupling assembly 24 islocated (provided in a way altogether similar to what has been describedpreviously).

In this case, the driven mass 20 further has two further pairs ofwindows (or through openings), provided therein, laterally with respectto the central window 22, namely: a first pair of lateral windows 32 a,32 b, set on opposite sides of the central window 22, aligned along thefirst horizontal axis x; and a second pair of lateral windows 33 a, 33b, set on opposite sides of the central window 22, aligned along thesecond horizontal axis y.

The micromechanical structure 10 in this case comprises further anddistinct sensing masses, which are designed for detecting angularvelocities along the horizontal axes x, y, and are set within theaforesaid lateral windows. Neither the driven mass 20 nor the drivingmasses 14 a, 14 b have in this case the function of detecting angularvelocities (and are not capacitively coupled to sensing electrodes).

In detail, the micromechanical structure 10 comprises a first pair ofsensing masses 35 a, 35 b, each set within a respective lateral window32 a, 32 b of the first pair, suspended above the substrate 12 andconnected to the driven mass 20 by elastic suspension elements 36.

In particular, the elastic suspension elements 36, of a torsional type,extend parallel to the second horizontal axis y, on opposite sides of aterminal portion of the respective sensing mass 35 a, 35 b, which isarranged in the proximity of the central window 22 so that the samesensing masses 35 a, 35 b are set in cantilever fashion above thesubstrate 12, i.e., with a corresponding centroid set at an appropriatedistance from the axis of rotation constituted by the elastic suspensionelements 36.

During operation, in the presence of an angular velocity about the firsthorizontal axis x (angular velocity ω_(x)), a Coriolis force isgenerated on the sensing masses 35 a, 35 b directed along the verticalaxis z, which causes a respective rotation thereof out of the horizontalplane xy, about the axis of rotation defined by the aforesaid elasticsuspension elements 36, in opposite senses of the same vertical axis z.

Conveniently, the sensing electrodes 29 a, 29 b are in this caseprovided on the substrate 12 underneath the sensing masses 35 a, 35 b.In addition, the anchorage elements 27 coupled to the rigid elements 25a, 25 b of the coupling assembly 24 are in this case set in theproximity of these sensing electrodes 29 a, 29 b.

The micromechanical structure 20 further comprises a second pair ofsensing masses 37 a, 37 b, each set within a respective lateral window33 a, 33 b of the second pair, suspended above the substrate 12 andconnected to the driven mass 20 by respective elastic suspensionelements 38.

During operation, in the presence of an angular velocity about thesecond horizontal axis y (angular velocity ω_(y)), Coriolis forces aregenerated on the sensing masses 37 a, 37 b directed in opposite sensesalong the vertical axis z, which cause a respective rotation thereof outof the horizontal plane xy, about an axis of rotation, parallel to thefirst horizontal axis x, passing through the points of coupling with theaforesaid elastic suspension elements 38.

The sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b, set on the substrate 12 underneaththe sensing masses 37 a, 37 b, enable, by capacitive coupling with thesensing masses 37 a, 37 b, detection of a quantity indicative of thevalue of angular velocity ω_(y).

The anchorage elements 27 coupled to the rigid elements 25 a, 25 b ofthe coupling assembly 24 are in this case set also in the proximity ofthe aforesaid sensing electrodes 30 a, 30 b.

Thus, in a way altogether similar to what has been discussed withreference to the first embodiment of FIG. 3, the coupling assembly 24 ofthe micromechanical structure 10 enables effective compensation ofpossible deformations of the substrate 12 and reduction and minimizationof drifts of the electrical parameters for detection of the angularvelocity.

The advantages of the solutions proposed emerge clearly from theforegoing description.

In any case, it is once again underlined that the micromechanicaldetection structure 10 of the MEMS gyroscope is substantiallyinsensitive to deformations of the substrate (for example, due totemperature variations, external stresses, such as the ones due tosoldering to a printed-circuit board or to the presence of humidity).The variations of offset and sensitivity as a function of thedeformations of the substrate are in fact extremely low (substantiallyzero), thus minimizing in general the drifts of the electricalparameters.

In particular, thanks to the solution described, these effects areadvantageously achieved without affecting in any way the movements ofdriving and sensing of the angular velocities envisaged in the MEMSgyroscope.

The solutions described for anchorage and support of the driven mass 20with respect to the substrate 12 do not entail any substantialmodification as regards the modalities of detection of the angularvelocities and general operation of the MEMS gyroscope.

Advantageously, the micromechanical structure 10 further has overalldimensions comparable to those of traditional solutions (i.e., ones thatenvisage a single central anchorage).

The second embodiment, illustrated with reference to FIG. 5, may furtherprovide specific advantages as compared to the first embodiment, in sofar as it enables higher sensitivity values, a lower effect ofdisturbance between the two axes of angular velocity detection (asregards the so-called “cross-axis sensitivity”), and also a greatereffect of rejection of disturbance linked to deformations of thesubstrate 12 (in this second embodiment, the anchorage elements 27 areset in proximity to the sensing electrodes 29 a-29 b, 30 a-30 bassociated with both of the sensing axes).

In any case, use of the micromechanical structure 10 and of thecorresponding MEMS gyroscope is particularly advantageous in anelectronic device 40 of a portable or wearable type, as illustratedschematically in FIG. 6.

In particular, in this FIG. 6, the MEMS gyroscope is designated by 42,and includes the micromechanical structure 10 previously described andan ASIC 43, which provides the corresponding reading interface (and maybe provided in the same die as that of the micromechanical structure 10or in a different die, which may in any case be housed in a samepackage).

The electronic device 40 is preferably a mobile-communication portabledevice, such as a cellphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), aportable computer, but also a digital audio player with voice-recordingcapacity, a photographic camera or video camera, a controller for videogames, etc.; the electronic device 40 may further be a wearable device,such as a watch or bracelet.

The electronic device 40 is generally able to process, store, and/ortransmit and receive signals and information, and comprises: amicroprocessor 44, which receives the signals detected by the MEMSgyroscope 42; and an input/output interface 45, for example, providedwith a keypad and a display, coupled to the microprocessor 44.Furthermore, the electronic device 40 may comprise a speaker 47, forgenerating sounds on an audio output (not illustrated), and an internalmemory 48.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made towhat has been described and illustrated herein, without therebydeparting from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined in theannexed claims.

For instance, the number of points of constraint with which the drivenmass 20 is mechanically coupled to the substrate 12 could vary withrespect to what has been illustrated, being possible to use a smaller orgreater number thereof. Of course, the use of a number of points ofconstraint of less than four entails a progressive reduction of thecapacity of compensation of the deformations of the substrate 12,whereas the use of a greater number of points of constraint, albeitenabling greater compensation of the deformations, entails a greatercomplexity of the micromechanical structure 10.

The number of sensing electrodes could vary with respect to what hasbeen illustrated; a greater number of electrodes may in fact be present(for example, shorted with respect to one another according toappropriate electrode arrangements, that are to form, as a whole, thetwo sensing capacitors C₁, C₂ with corresponding sensing masses), orelse even just one sensing electrode in the case where a differentialsensing scheme is not adopted.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the detail of FIG. 7, each sensingelectrode 29 a-29 b, 30 a-30 b (the figure illustrates by way of examplejust the sensing electrode 30 a) may be shaped so as to include withinits overall dimensions, or envelope region, in the horizontal plane xy,a base portion of the respective anchorage elements 27 for furtherreducing the effects associated with the deformations of the substrate12.

In this case, each sensing electrode has recesses designed to house atleast partially a base portion of a corresponding anchorage element 27,which is coupled to the substrate 12. Likewise, the central window 22has corresponding extensions above the sensing electrodes.

Finally, it is clear that the solution described may be advantageouslyapplied also to further types of MEMS sensors, for example, triaxialgyroscopes capable of detecting angular velocities also about a thirdsensing axis (the so-called angular velocities of yaw), which in thiscase comprise a further sensing-mass arrangement (in a way here notdiscussed in detail).

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

1. A device, comprising: a substrate; a first plurality of electrodes onthe substrate; a driven-mass that directly overlies the substrate; afirst through hole that extends through the driven-mass; a firstplurality of anchorage elements on the substrate, the first through holedirectly overlies the first plurality of anchorage elements; a pluralityof rigid elements, the first through hole directly overlies theplurality of rigid elements; a first plurality of elastic elementselastically coupling the plurality of rigid elements to the firstplurality of anchorage elements; and a second plurality of elasticelements elastically coupling the plurality of rigid elements to thedriven-mass.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a secondthrough hole, a third through hole, a fourth through hole, and a fifththrough hole that extend through the driven-mass; a first sensing massthat is aligned with the second through hole; a second sensing mass thatis aligned with the third through hole; a third sensing mass that isaligned with the fourth through hole; and a fourth sensing mass that isaligned with the fifth through hole, each of the first, second, third,and fourth sensing masses directly overlies a respective electrode ofthe first plurality of electrodes.
 3. The device of claim 2, furthercomprising: a third plurality of elastic elements elastically couplingthe driven-mass to the first sensing mass, the second sensing mass, thethird sensing mass, and the fourth sensing mass to the driven-mass. 4.The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second plurality ofanchorage elements on the substrate; a first driving mass; a thirdplurality of elastic elements elastically coupling the first drivingmass to the second plurality of anchorage elements; a third plurality ofanchorage elements on the substrate; a second driving mass; and a fourthplurality of elastic elements elastically coupling the second drivingmass to the third plurality of anchorage elements, the driven-masspositioned between the first driving mass and the second driving mass.5. The device of claim 4, further comprising: a second plurality ofelectrodes that are coupled to the first driving mass; and a thirdplurality of electrodes that are coupled to the substrate.
 6. A device,comprising: a substrate; a first plurality of electrodes on thesubstrate; a first mass aligned with the first plurality of electrodes,the first mass including a hole extending through the first mass; and acoupling assembly aligned with the hole, the coupling assemblyincluding: a first plurality of anchorage elements on the substrate; aplurality of rigid elements; a first plurality of elastic elementscoupling the plurality of rigid elements and the first plurality ofanchorage elements to each other; and a second plurality of elasticelements coupling the plurality of rigid elements to the first mass. 7.The device of claim 6, further comprising: a second mass; a secondplurality of anchorage elements on the substrate; and a third pluralityof elastic elements coupling the second mass and the second plurality ofanchorage elements to each other.
 8. The device of claim 7, furthercomprising: a third mass, the first mass positioned between the secondmass and the third mass; a third plurality of anchorage elements on thesubstrate; and a fourth plurality of elastic elements coupling the thirdmass and the third plurality of anchorage elements to each other.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, further comprising: a second plurality of electrodescoupled to the second mass; and a third plurality of electrodes coupledto the substrate.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein at least oneelectrode of the third plurality of electrodes is positioned between twoelectrodes of the second plurality of electrodes.
 11. The device ofclaim 6 wherein the first mass is configured to rotate around an axisextending in a first direction, the first mass being aligned with thefirst plurality of electrodes in the first direction.
 12. A device,comprising: a substrate; a first plurality of electrodes on thesubstrate; a first mass directly overlying the first plurality ofelectrodes, the first mass including a first opening; a first pluralityof anchorage elements aligned with the first opening and on thesubstrate; a plurality of rigid elements aligned with the first opening,the plurality of rigid elements being elastically coupled to the firstplurality of anchorage elements and the first mass.
 13. The device ofclaim 12 wherein the first mass includes a second opening, a thirdopening, a fourth opening, and a fifth opening.
 14. The device of claim13 wherein the first opening is positioned between the second openingand the third opening, and is positioned between the fourth opening andthe fifth opening.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the first opening,the second opening, and the third opening are positioned between thefourth opening and the fifth opening.
 16. The device of claim 13,further comprising: a second mass aligned with the second opening; athird mass aligned with the third opening; a fourth mass aligned withthe fourth opening; and a fifth mass aligned with the fifth opening. 17.The device of claim 16 wherein the second mass, the third mass, thefourth mass, and the fifth mass are elastically coupled to the firstmass.
 18. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a second pluralityof anchorage elements on the substrate; and a second mass elasticallycoupled to the second plurality of anchorage elements.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, further comprising: a third plurality of anchorage elements onthe substrate; and a third mass elastically coupled to the thirdplurality of anchorage elements, the first mass positioned between thesecond mass and the third mass.
 20. The device of claim 18, furthercomprising: a second plurality of electrodes coupled to the second mass;and a third plurality of electrodes coupled to the substrate.